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This study evaluated the effects of 6 weeks of swimming on lipid metabolism, oxidation resistance, and atherosclerosis in 6-week-old female apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE-/-). The mice were divided into a control group (n=7) and a treatment group (n=7). Mice in the treatment group were required to swim 10 min⋅d-1, 5 d⋅wk-1 for 6 weeks (which was increased by 10 min⋅d-1 until the mice swam continuously for 1 hr). Plasma total cholesterol was evaluated before and after the experiment. Liver and fecal lipids, lipid oxidation resistance, and atherosclerotic area of thoracic and abdominal aorta were evaluated after euthanasia. Body weight, lipid metabolism, and lipid oxidation resistance were similar in both groups. Relative index was statistically decreased in the experimental group, thus suggesting that the apoE-/- mice that underwent the swimming exercise exhibited decreased atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. However, the decrease was not due to changes in lipid metabolism or lipid oxidation resistance profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) has been used as hypocholesterolemic agent in many countries. However, few controlled studies were addressed to this subject and atherogenesis. We have evaluated the effect of eggplant on cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis in LDLR-/- mice. Animals were fed on chow (n=17) or atherogenic (n=21) diet during 12 weeks receiving water (control) or eggplant extract. Liver, serum and fecal lipids, together with serum lipoproteins were measured. Oxidative stress was evaluated through conjugate diene formation and ox-LDL antibodies by enzyme immunoassay. Atherosclerotic lesions were measured in different sites of aorta. Total cholesterol and atherogenic lipoproteins did not decrease after eggplant intake. Animals receiving eggplant and chow diet showed increased anti-ox-LDL antibodies and a decreased lag phase of conjugated diene formation, indicating a higher oxidative stress than controls. No differences were seen in lesion area of aortic valve. Eggplant extract had high histamine and other amine levels that could enhance LDL oxidation and its endocytosis. Eggplant did not decrease plasma cholesterol nor prevent the development of atherosclerosis in LDLR-/- mice. Surprisingly, eggplant increased oxidative stress, representing a risk factor for atherosclerosis. These results did not support the use of eggplant extract as hypocholesterolemic agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]